Paracords (also known as parachute cords or 550 cords) contain a core made from seven individual yarn and a braided sheet made from 32 yarns. These lightweight nylon cords were originally used as suspension lines of parachutes in the II. world war, where soldiers realized the many benefits of these cords. Nowadays paracords are used on a very wide range by soldiers and civilians.
The braided sheet, made from 32 yarns covers the core entirely, which is made from seven individual yarns, each twirled from two twines. Thanks to its construction, paracords not only hold suspended weight with the core or the sheet but with its entire cross-section which provides an outstanding breaking strength compared to the diameter of the cord. Due to its material, the paracord can withstand even sudden high strength pulls, does not absorb water, dries quickly, is easy to clean, and can withstand many environmental or mechanical effects.
Paracords can be divided into two main groups:
The ‘mil-spec’ paracord meets the criteria of the military paracord standards and so can be called f.e. as 550 paracords because its breaking strength and elongation were officially tested. By these cords there are no patched yarns, each part of the cord is made from one yarn, the sheet material is homogenous, UV resistant and the core does not contain any knots.
However, the so-called commercial grade paracord is still suitable to be used as a utility rope, but it has no certification, the core yarns often jump into "knots" which shows poor quality production, also the sheet may have signs of patching in multiple yarns in the same cords. Due to these weaknesses, commercial-grade paracords usually have low quality and have very little in common with original 550 paracords.
In the Tactical Store webshop, or in our shop in the heart of Budapest, every 550 paracord meets the criteria of the MIL-C-5040H Type III standard, moreover their 360 kg breaking strength even top the original criteria of 250 kg breaking strength! Our 550 paracords are UV resistant and strong, to keep their strength and beautiful colors for even years of use to make sure your bracelets will be such good looking in a couple of years as they are the moment you make them.
